Grand launch of website - critique me, please!

[AvalonJewel]

Hi everyone!  I am new to this board, but I absolutely love it so far!  Not to mention, I am in Spokane, where wonderful Rings'n'Things is!! '>  Anyway, I launched my website yesterday and would love to get some feedback from you all.  All opinions, ideas, suggestions, etc will be thought over/considered.  This is my first time making a website, so I know I missed a few things,  '> !

Thanks in advance for your input!  I appreciate it!

Stephanie
Avalon Jewelry
www.avalonjewels.com
Avalon Jewelry

[Polly]

Hi Stephanie!

Congratulations on your new Web site.

I like the fact that you've used "real" words to describe your jewelry and the parts.  Although that isn't as much fun as some more fanciful titles and descriptions I've seen elsewhere, it allows search engines to report what's on your site, so searchers for your types of products, can find your site.

Also, I think you've picked a good compromise on image size:  not so tiny that you can't tell what's in the image, but not so big that they slow your pages down too much.  And then, they link to a nice big image where I can see the details and the individual beads.

One thing that I know one of my co-workers would really like to see, is "breathing room" in places like the text box / table cell in your nav bar (the "Join the Avalon Mailing List now" area).  There is a way to add a little padding in there, so the text doesn't run right into the edge.

Same thing with the links just above it.

It's looking good!
Good luck with your business and the site, and we hope to see you at our Spokane Bead Frenzy on March 6.

--Polly

[LJJ]

You did a GREAT job on your website. I would never have known that this was your first.  I also love your jewelry.

[BonnieB]

:'>  Loved your new site and I was amazed that your prices were so low. Your designs are wonderful and I think you could ask for more . Best of luck

[BaysideBeader]

Stephanie, you've done a fabulous job!  I love the type you chose, the images that enlarge beautifully, the inviting dialog, and the wonderful links.  It's a truly professional quality site!

One tiny suggestion would be to bookmark the sections on your Ordering Information page so visitors can click the title of the section they want to view and go right to it without having to scroll up and down so much.  As I said, it's very minor.

Thanks for sharing your beautiful site.  I wish you all the success you can handle!

[Island Girl]

'> Your website is awesome!  I love what you did with it.  I'm sure you'll be very successful.  The pictures are great and you have a good variety to select from.

Love your web page.
I am thinking about doing the same.  Have you found it worthwhile -- Lots of sales?

Hiya Stephanie,

                     From one old designer to a new designer, your on your way to a web creation career. Quality, Details and it works too!  '>

Only suggestions I have concerns simple things that you can maybe use as you go. Nothing here is ment to be critical, ok!
. when using small fonts on web, try verdana and try to stay above or atleast 8pt/pixel, nothing smaller though. 9pt text does not show on some MAC machines.
. The forms page that are after picking a search item may cause folks to click to many times to see a product. As small as the pictures are for products, I don't see to much of a problem having the page with products come up without using them form menus. I know compatibility is an issue, but there are also menu styles that would enhance your work and the site that are compatible to all browsers and make clicking too many buttons a minimal. Compress up the cells towards page top and less white space inside. Add spaces between boarder bars and type in the boxes so neither are touching each other, padding and such. Your pages open extremely fast and that is fantastic.
. Product pictures- by adding a very small shadow around only the products before inserting into site may help poke them out more for the eye to see better. Nothing exotic, just a little 3 dimensional help. If these are done subtle enough they won't effect page display time by more then a second or 2.

Other then that, I wish I was as good making my first website. Don't let my suggestions cramp your style...if it don't feel right, don't use it. They are just some ideas.

Keep Up Your Great Job!
Webmaster (sounds cool huh?) '>

[Aprilsbrit]

Hi everyone,
I also am new to the web. Site not quite completed. Stephine, I think your web page is great and your jewelry too! I am trying to make jewelry out of my home store and need some advice as to what I should start with...bead wise and tools? I have not created anything yet, I'm just in the planning stage of  my business. But I am the creative, artzy type of gal and I'm sure I'll catch on quick. I'm just not sure what I need to get started. I know I would like to use crystals, fresh water pearls and silver or white gold accents. I loved that fall piece in the galery.  There are not many bead stores in Bakersfield(where I live), except a Michael's and a few other large craft stores. What all should I purchase for the beginning stages? Please help me with my first order! Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you, April '>  

[LissaBeads]

Great site I can't believe its your first! Your jewelry is beautiful, I'm into simple but stunning.  My only suggestion would be to indicate if you are using sterling for wire designs, findings, etc. Also maybe a note somewhere about the type of clasp - magnetic, lobster etc.

[AvalonJewel]

Thanks everyone, for the great comments and tips!  I've revised a couple of things since first posting here, including adding some suggestions that some of you posted.  I think having a website is an ongoing process!  

LissaBeads wrote:

Quote

maybe a note somewhere about the type of clasp - magnetic, lobster etc

Nice suggestion...to be added shortly!  '>

[Beaditgirl]

Gorgeous pieces that you have created and very underpriced for your extreme talent.   Great website, very user friendly and colors and layout is appealing.  

Keep up the good work, and yes it is an ongoing process. I started in March, and I change things almost daily.


Karen
My Webpage

Stephanie I think your website is very professional. Very easy to navigate. Pictures load quickly. Good luck! '>

[Kingfisher]

Beautiful site and load quickly even on my slow dial up.  I love the colors.  (and your beautiful jewelry

You may want to add to each page the following --

<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"
"http://www.w3.org/TR/1999/REC-html401-19991224/loose.dtd">


between > and

This is in the interest of validation.  More information can be found at the www.w3.org site.  This is not yet critical, but becoming more important all of the time.

You have a lot of good keywords, but you might want to put the more generic ones toward the beginning of the list and the ones with your business names toward the end.  Try www.goodkeywords.com for some ideas.  

 Some of the engines prefer a shorter list of words (each engine has its own specific criteria).    MSN prefers clean code for instance.  Remember that the robots have to crawl through all of that code to get to your words and content is what they are looking for (besides your titles, alternate text, keywords, content statements, etc.)

As for the services who promise great positioning with the engines - some of their tactics are very unethical and if an engine decides you have spammed, they may ban you.  

You hit it on the head - a Web site is a living document and yours is wonderful!  Like all sites, though it is a commitment to continuous improvement.

Good luck with your site!
Louise

ShowCase - Develop, Maintain and Market Your Own Jewelry Web Site
http://www.fine-wire-jewelry.com/showcase
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[sesiber]

Hi bead friends.
This my first message on here.
I want your visit mywebsite and wait your commends.
see you bye.